Nursing: Bachelor of Science

Program Description

Professional nursing blends a unique body of knowledge from the sciences, social sciences and humanities with a compassionate heart and a sensitive spirit to provide holistic care to those in need.

The School of Nursing offers two curricular tracks to the bachelor of science degree in nursing; the four-year, pre-licensure program and the two-year, completion program for the registered nurse. The programs provide you with the opportunity to acquire knowledge, values and skills necessary for the practice of professional nursing.

Course requirements provide liberal backgrounds in physical science, social science and humanities. This curriculum provides a solid basis for the variety of roles in nursing practice. The nursing curriculum provides an interdisciplinary major and, therefore, does not require a minor to meet graduation requirements. These nursing programs are approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing and the BSN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.*

Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science Nursing, Pre-Licensure Program

To qualify as a pre-nursing major, applicants must satisfy University admission requirements described in the admission section of the Catalog.

For students with college-level achievement, the opportunity will be offered, by means of examination, to obtain course credit or placement into an advanced course.

High school academic subjects include a minimum of one unit of biology, one of chemistry, three of English and two of algebra. Additional science and mathematics courses are highly recommended.

Students complete one year in pre-nursing before making application to the School of Nursing for admission to the nursing major. Admission is based upon 1) completing a current application in its entirety by the deadline of each semester, 2) successful completion of selected pre-nursing courses, 3) academic achievement, 4) a negative criminal background report, 5) passing of a physical examination done at the Health CARE Center, an 6) completion of TEAS and Critital Thinking ATI tests, and 7) verification of CPR training.

It is recommended that students be able to demonstrate computer literacy — basic word processing, library and Internet searches. Mathematics competency is required prior to the sophomore year. Entrance into nursing requires a grade point average of 2.7 or above in core pre-nursing and nursing courses. A maximum of 24 students will be accepted for each fall and spring semester.

A grade of C or above is required in all courses. A grade of D in other general education or elective courses is accepted.

Transfer credit will be granted on an individual basis. Only those courses with a grade of C or better are transferable. Credits for baccalaureate nursing courses and pharmacology are transferable for five years.

Time requirement for program completion is four academic years; however, completion may require more than four years for students who cannot maintain the high credit load each semester. Progression and readmission policies are detailed in the Nursing Student Handbook.

Students are responsible for transportation to and from clinical agencies, as well as all additional costs incurred by enrollment in the nursing program. Costs, academic and general information are listed in the Nursing Student Handbook and viewable on-line.

Licensure:

Graduates of this program are eligible to write the NCLEX-RN examination administered by the Michigan Board of Nursing for licensure as a registered nurse (R.N.). Canadian students must pass the NCLEX-RN examination prior to applying for licensure in Ontario. The Michigan Board of Nursing may deny a graduate the opportunity to take the licensure examination on the basis of conviction for a crime or substance abuse. The Immigration Service may deny a visa for entry to Ontario on the basis of a conviction for a crime or for substance abuse. Applicants with a history of a conviction or substance abuse should consult with the School of Nursing associate dean and direct questions to the Michigan Board of Nursing and the Immigration Service prior to considering entry in the program.

Bachelor of Science Nursing, Post-Licensure Completion Program, Completion Program for RN Students

Entrance Requirements:

To qualify for admission to the RN completion program, applicants must satisfy University admission requirements as described in the admission section of the Catalog. (This information is also included in the Viewbook).

For students with college-level achievement, the opportunity will be offered, by means of examination, to obtain course credit or placement into an advanced course.

Applicants must be graduates of state- or provincial-approved associate’s degree or diploma nursing programs with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7 in all nursing, nursing support and English courses. Nursing support courses include: chemistry, mathematics, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, statistics, nutrition, pharmacology, pathophysiology, computer applications in health sciences, psychology and sociology courses. Credit may be granted for nutrition and pharmacology upon writing the required NLN tests and achieving scores at the 50th percentile or above. NLN tests may be repeated once; students must enroll in the course if not successful on second writing. Credit by departmental exam is also available to students upon request.

Required Admission Credentials:

Submit to Admissions Office: standard LSSU Application for Admission; transcripts from previous nursing school(s) and college(s). Submit to School of Nursing: copy of current Michigan or Ontario professional nursing license and immunization records. All credentials must be on file preceding semester of entry.

Transfer Credits:

Transfer credits may be granted on an individual basis for equivalent general education and support courses. Only those courses with a grade of C or better may be transferred. A maximum of 32 semester hours credit in basic nursing courses may be transferred. Credit for pharmacology courses is acceptable for five years.

Time required for completion will be two years including two summers.

Progression and readmission policies are detailed in the Nursing Student Handbook.

Students are responsible for transportation to clinical agencies and all additional costs incurred by enrollment in the nursing program. Costs, academic and general information are listed in the Nursing Student Handbook.

The RN completion program is offered on a part-time basis at the LSSU Regional Centers in Petoskey and Escanaba. For further course information contact the main campus School of Nursing at 906-635-2288, the Petoskey Regional Center at 231-348-6623 or the Escanaba Regional Center at 906-217-4123.

*Credit by departmental exam (or NLN examination, passing at a 50 percentile or higher) is also available to students upon request. For further information, contact the main campus School of Nursing at 906-635-2288, the Petoskey Regional Center at 231-348-6623 or the Escanaba Regional Center at 906-217-4123.

*Prerequisite courses for entrance to the program.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Notes (if applicable): One year (8 credits) of a modern language other than English. If taken at LSSU, this would be: CHIN151-152, FREN151-152 or 251-252, GRMN141-142 or 241-242, NATV141-142 or 201-202, or SPAN161-162.

One-half year of two different languages will not meet this requirement.

Bachelor of Science Degree Notes (if applicable): At least eight (8) semester credits in addition to courses used for general education requirements from categories of social science, natural science, computer science or mathematics.

These bachelor of science degree requirements can be used for majors or minors, but not general education.